They were teammates and they were friends: Franz Beckenbauer and Berti Vogts. Vogts mourns the death of the football legend – and suggests naming the DFB Cup after Beckenbauer.
The news of Franz Beckenbauer’s death hurts Berti Vogts “very much,” as he told the “Rheinische Post”: “He was a friend – and German football is losing its figurehead,” explained the 77-year-old Vogts.
Together they played in 71 international matches, the highlight of which was winning the World Cup in 1974. “We had a special relationship, it was a wonderful time with Franz,” said Vogts.
The former defender can imagine renaming the DFB Cup in honor of Beckenbauer: “It is important that his name is not forgotten by the following generations of footballers. Maybe the DFB should think about it, for example the DFB Cup Franz Beckenbauer,” said Vogts.
During the 1990 World Cup triumph under team boss Beckenbauer, Vogts was one of the coaching assistants and then took over as national coach. “He is one of the best footballers of all time, on a par with Pelé, Eusebio, Maradona – and Franz is the captain of this team. His death is not only for German football, but for football in Europe and around the world Loss.”
Beckenbauer shaped football, “he invented the libero position. He was a playmaker behind the defense, something that didn’t exist before him, it was always impressive how easily he played,” said Vogts.
Source: Stern

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